8 ALASKA INDUSTEIES. 



at St. George Island. From actual knowledge, I know that a contract 

 was made with the Aleuts on that island for 35 cents for fur-seal skins 

 for the first year (1868), to be taken out in trade, and I believe for 40 

 cents apiece for the next two years. This seems to be a very low price, 

 but the expense of fitting out vessels, the high price of wages and pro- 

 visions, and salary for agents nearly fourfold the cost price on the 

 island, besides there are always more or less spoiled in salting tbem, 

 which heretofore has been done by men who did not understand their 

 business. 



All told, there were killed on St. George Island last year over 70,000 

 fur seals, of which 60,000 were killed by the Aleuts and about 10,000 

 by vessels' crews. The Aleuts are very careful about picking out those 

 that are fit for killing, leaving the cows and pups under 3 years 

 unmolested. 



The killing of these animals by anybody other than the natives 

 should be strictly prohibited, as they might do more harm in killing 

 10,000 than the natives in killing 60,000. 



I can not say with certainty the number of seals taken from St. Paul 

 and Otter islands, but I have no doubt they will amount to over 

 100,000, St. Paul being more than double the size of St. George Island, 

 containing also more rookeries. 



Our house sold seal skins last year in this city for $4 (gold) a piece; 

 but other parties who sent them to London at the same time received 

 account sales, the prices obtained averaging from 26 to 30 shillings, 

 which is equal to about $6.50 to $7.50 there, less freight, insurance, 

 commissions, etc. 



In this market they are generally sold at an average price, but in 

 London they are classified as follows : First, small, bringing the highest 

 price; second, middlings, bringing the second price; third, large pups, 

 bringing the third price; fourth, small wigs, bringing the fourth price; 

 fifth, middling pups, bringing the fifth price; sixth, large wigs, bring- 

 ing the sixth price; seventh, small pups, bringing the seventh price; 

 black pups, cut and damaged. 



This year, however, the prices have declined, and I consider $3.25 

 (gold) in San Francisco a fair average price. Latest dis])atches from 

 London quote sales at 15 shillings. So far, all the fur-seal skins have 

 been shipped to London, which has been the only place where they 

 could be well dressed and cured. 



It is impossible to ascertain the exact number of sea otters killed in 

 Alaska Territory, but from information received from the tyoons (chiefs) 

 of several islands where the sea otter abounds, I have learned that 

 from 2,000 to 2,500 are killed annually, to their knowledge, but outside 

 of this, some whale ships and cod fishermen touch these several 

 islands, where they obtain more or less skins from the natives, unknown 

 to the tyoon. 



The price paid for sea otter skins at the islands last year was not 

 over $20 (gold) apiece. Those which I obtained we could have sold 

 in this market from $40 to $00, which we considered too little. We 

 shipped them to Leipsic and realized only $30 average. 



This year, however, the prices here as well as in Europe have declined 

 considerably, $25 here being considered a high price. Latest advices 

 from London (which is the best market for these skins) quote sales at 

 175 shillings on an average, although on account of competition, espe- 

 cially on the island of Unalaska, traders have to pay this year as high 

 as $40 for medium skins. 



These furs, as well as the fur seal, have their different grades and 



